Family favourite

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 28, 2005

There's a lot to be said for sticking with what you know and like. That's the philosophy many of us adopt when buying clothes, choosing a holiday and deciding what restaurant to eat in.

But when it comes to cars, audio equipment and hi-tech tackle there's considerable pressure on consumers to go for the newest and most innovative design ( the what's latest is best theory.

But that's not everyone's bag, although motoring hacks do tend to get some stick for being too easily won over by state-of-the-art gimmickry.

So here's a report on a model that's far from `cutting-edge' yet possesses that honest value and cast iron reliability that has wide appeal to the family market it is aimed at.

Now in the autumn of its life, the Nissan Almera comes stacked with equipment to help offset the negative aspect of its ageing design.

I drove the top line 2.2 dCi SXE version which has a beefy 136bhp diesel engine giving a good blend between acceleration and better than average economy.

For pounds 16,000 ( with a strong possibility of some discount ( you get air con, all-round electric windows, traction control, and sat nav.

The test car also came with optional electric sliding sunroof. Available as a three-door or a five-door it has all the practical touches to attract family motorists such as cup-holders, split rear seats and sun-glasses pouch.

Revamped and freshened last year to give it mid-life vigour, the Almera may not win many beauty contests but its square rear aids headroom and allows awkward loads to be accommodated in the regularly shaped cargo area.

Its 2.2-litre common rail diesel is one of the largest in its class and has the sort of low down torque to deliver a noticeable thump in the back when the accelerator is floored.

Mid-range urge is most impressive, but even from-start acceleration is swift with a 0-62mph time of just over nine seconds. Top speed is 124mph yet overall economy works out in the high 40s. My average during a week's driving was 42.5mpg while the official combined average is 47.9mpg.

The engine is a tad noisy and agricultural compared with the newest of diesels but there's no doubting the power it makes available. There's little need to rev it hard though, and once you are in high gear it cruises effortlessly and quietly.

The cabin is well-made and solid in spite of feeling a bit dated partly thanks to the large four-spoke steering wheel, which can mask part of the dials if it is set in a low position.

Sensibly the seven inch sat-nav screen is set high on the fascia so the driver doesn't have to take his line of vision away from the road to follow the visual instructions. With its high seating position and deep glass area, visibility is a strong point.

With well-proven reliability and a lusty performance married to meagre thirst, the capable Almera is still able to satisfy the demands of families who are not hooked on cars as status symbols or fashion accessories.

Make: Nissan Almera 2.2dCi 136 SXE 5 door

Price: pounds 16,000

Mechanical: 136bhp, 2,184cc, 4cyl diesel engine; 6 speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 124mph

0-62mph: 9.2 seconds

Combined mpg: 47.9

Insurance group: 10

CO2 emissions: 161g/km

BiK rating: 23%

Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles; 3 years paint; 6 years anti-rust